RNLI lifeguards in Bude rescued a fisherman from the water last week after his boat caught fire.

Lifeguards at Summerleaze beach heard a mayday call from a fishing boat on fire approximately two miles off Compass Point last Wednesday (August 10).

The mayday call was received at approximately 11.45am.

The fire was spotted by off-duty RNLI senior lifeguard Mini Fry, who was fishing on a boat nearby and came to help at the scene.

Mini told the Post it had been a busy start to the afternoon ‘for a man on his day off’.

He said on the day of the incident: “I went fishing this morning. I saw Mark Butler, owner of the boat [that caught on fire] down the lock gates this morning, planning to give the boat a run.

“I was about three miles off of Bude and thought I saw a bit of smoke coming from Mark. Another minute went by, I checked it again and could see a bit of flame.”

Mini said he immediately pulled his rods up and rang in to Summerleaze lifeguard tower, and asked them to check channel 16, to see if there was a boat in distress. They told Mini that they were just getting information in about the incident.

He added: “They were just about to put the jet ski in the water. I said to them to let Falmouth know I’m about a mile away and I’m on my way. I just headed straight there.”

Mini and RNLI lifeguard Dan Gow, who normally works with Mini on Summerleaze, arrived at the incident — Dan on the rescue water craft (RWC). Mini said: “The boat was well ablaze when we got there. I was hoping he had got off the boat.”

The fisherman had got off the boat, and was picked up by Dan on the water craft, who took him away from the blaze, before transferring him to Mini’s boat.

Mini said: “He was suffering quite a bit of shock and was confused about what happened really. The water’s very warm — there wasn’t an issue with the cold and I had plenty of stuff to give him when he got on the boat.

“I said to him it’s not a problem mate, boats are replaceable, you’re not, and you are on the boat and going home.

“The right people were in the right place.”

Dan had managed to locate the fisherman, and once he was picked up he was checked over, but thankfully had not suffered any injuries.

The lifeguards transported the casualty to his boat and made checks on him but thankfully he had not suffered any injuries.

Dan said: “By the time I got there the boat was fully alight and I had no idea where the casualty was. Initially I didn’t know if he might still be on the vessel, I was thinking the worst. Luckily I spotted him in the water quite quickly as he was wearing a lifejacket and was able to get him to safety.”

The inshore rescue boat from Widemouth launched to provide support for the lifeguards and Bude inshore lifeboat was also tasked to the scene. Padstow RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew also attended to mark the area where the boat sank.

Bude Coastguard Rescue Team said it scoured the area, and only minimal pollution and little wreckage was found, after which all teams were stood down.

The casualty was taken back to the harbour, where he was met by a Coastguard team and paramedics.

Ross Hambley, RNLI lifeguard supervisor, said: “Dan did a fantastic job today, thanks to his quick-thinking actions the fisherman was brought back to the shore safely. Luckily the casualty was able to make a mayday call and was wearing a lifejacket when he entered the water. All the emergency services worked really well together.”

Maya Buckley was one of those who witnessed the boat fire from her home, and reported the fire to emergency services.

She told the Post: “We came out around 12.15pm to go out but spotted the black smoke as soon as we did. There were already two cars parked up a little down the road but we rang emergency services incase it hadn’t been reported.

“We weren’t able to see anyone in the water but we could see a smaller white boat near the burning boat. With binoculars we could see the flames at the back of the boat. One beach lifeguard headed towards the boat and a bit later one more joined too.

“After the boat had burnt, about an hour later, an RNLI lifeboat came from across the water.

“We have never seen an incident from the area before.”

James Instance, duty controller for UK Coastguard, said that the lifejacket ‘no doubt aided his survival and enabled the lifeguards to find him quickly’.

He added: “By taking this simple safety precaution, it meant that when he fell into the water his survival time increased significantly. He was also able to raise the alarm on the VHF radio.

“If you’re going out on the water, make sure that you take a good method of communications with you. On a boat a VHF DSC radio is ideal, and a mobile phone in a sealed plastic bag is a good back up. Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard in an emergency at sea. And of course wear your lifejacket. This could have been a very different outcome had he not been wearing a lifejacket and we commend his actions, which have assisted in saving his life.”